Paper towel dispensing device



Nov. 22, 1938.

L. M. *hARVEY PAPER TOWEL DISPENSING DEVICE Filed may 25, 1955 s Sheets-Sheet 1 Nov. 22, 193%.. L. M. HARVEY PAPER TOWEL DISPENSING DEVICE Filgd May 25, 1935 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 L. M. HARVEY- Nov. 22, 193%..-

PAPER TOWEL DISPENSING DEVICE Filed May 25, 1.935 5 Sheets-Sheet I I I I Patented Nov. 22, 1938 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 7 2,137,489 PAPER TOWEL DISPENSING DEVICE Leo M. Harvey, Los Angeles, Calif. Application May 25, 1935, Serial No. 23,443. 17 (llaims; (Cl. M l -42) This invention relates to a dispensing device ual acts or operations for its complete actuation, and relates more particularly to a device for diswhich series of acts usually deter the user from pensing sheet material such as papertoweling. obtaining needless or excessive amounts of tow- A general object of the invention is to provide a eling. To operate the device of the present in- 5; practical effective device for dispensing paper vention the user must first step on the pedal, towels, etc., that is easy, convenient and sanithe release the pedal and then withdraw the tary to operate. length of toweling for use. The steps or acts Many of the devices for dispensing paper towmust be carried out in the particular order named eling, etc., from rolls, involves handles, knobs, to fully actuate the .device and condition it for a buttons, etc., thatmust be directly engaged by succeeding operation. 10 the user's hands to obtain the towels or towel- A further object of the invention is to proing. The hands .of the persons using devices of vide a dispensing device of the character menthis character are often wet and the operating tioned that is inexpensive and compact and that parts and the adjacent portions of the cabinets is capable of being embodied in an attractive .15 soon become soiled and unsanitary. Certain form or unit. 5

types of towel dispensing devices that have been Another object of the invention is to provide introduced may be repeatedly or continuously adevice of the character mentioned embodying actuated by the users without delay or interrupan improved means for rotatably supporting the tion and the persons using such devices often supply roll of toweling that maintains the towel- .20 withdraw amounts of toweling greatly in excess ing under the proper tension and allows the easy of their needs or requirements. and quick mounting of a new or replenishing roll. Another object of this invention is to provide Another object of the invention is to provide a device for dispensing paper toweling that may a means for rotatably supporting the supply roll be easily and conveniently operated by the user of toweling in a device of the character menms to obtain a length of toweling without engagtioned that is such that it is only capable of 5 ing any part or parts of the device with his moun the P p prescribed ype make hands. of supply roll which the device is intended to Another object of the invention is to provide a handle. towel cabinet or device of the character men- 'The various objects and features of my in- 0 tioned that involves a pedal readily engageable vention will be fully understood from the foland operable by the user to release the control lowing detailed description of a typical preferred mechanism and cause an end portion of the form and app c 0f the invention. through toweling to be projected from the case for easy 0111" which description reference s a e 130 t e engagement by the user, so that he may witha co pa y drawings, in Which;

.35 draw a length of toweling from the case. Fig- 1 is a Side elevation o the improveddis- Another object of the invention is to provide pensing device of this invention. Fig. 2 is a front a dispensing device of the character mentioned elevation of the device. Fig. 3 is an enlar d in which the supply of toweling is normally enfragmentary vertical detailed sectional view tirely within the cabinet or case so that there taken ub an y s indicated by e 3-3 On 1 is no tendency on the part of the users to at- Fig. 2 illustrating the Parts intheil' 'p 40 tempt to withdraw the toweling without first tions. Fig. 4 is an e e a entary verproperly operating the pedal. tical detailed sectional view similar to Fig. 3

Another object of the invention is to provide showing the principal parts ofthe control mecha paper towel dispensing device that includes a anism in elevation in their retracted or partially 5 novel control mechanism that is operable to actuated-positions. Fig. 5 is a fragmentary verautom y limit op the withdrawal of tical detailed sectional view taken substantially toweling when a definite amount of toweling has as indicated by line 5--5 on Fig. 4. Fig. 6 is a been withdrawn and simultaneously with the fragmentary vertical sectional view taken substopping of the toweling actuates a knife or cutstantially as indicated by line 6--6 on Fig. 4.

5o ter against th t wel t facilitate the easy Fig; '7 is a fragmentary sectional view illusti'atdisconnection of the Withdrawn portion of the ing the means for supporting one end of the toweling. supply roll.

Another object of this invention is to provide The dispensing device provided by this invena pedal actuated or controlled towel dispensing tion includes, generally, a case ill for carrying a who device that requires a definite sequence of mansupply S o! toweling T and a control for governing the withdrawal or removal of the toweling from the case comprising a roll II having movement governing contact with the toweling '1, means I2 normally holding the roll II against movement and operable to stop movement of the roll, a cutter I3 operable into engagement with the toweling. T, pedal operated means I 4 for releasing the means I2, retracting the cutter I3 and feeding an end portion of the toweling T from the case I0, and means I5 operable upon the withdrawal of a predetermined length of toweling to release the means I2 and the cutter for operation to limit the withdrawal of the toweling and facilitate the disconnection of the withdrawn portion of toweling. a v

The shape and construction of the cabinet or case I may be varied considerably without departing from the principles of the invention. The particular case I0 illustrated in the drawings is adapted to be attached to a vertical support or wall and has a vertical back I6 and a horizontal bottom wall I1. The sides I8. of the case are joined with its front and topvand. are substantially vertical. The front of the case I0 has two outwardly bowed portions I9 and 20. The upper portion I9 is considerably larger than the portion 20. 1 An opening 2I is provided in the lower forward corner of the case I0 to pass or discharge the toweling T. Substantially vertically disposed supports or plates 22 are provided in the case. I0 adjacent its opposite sides I 8. The plates 22 may be attached to the back I6 and the bottom wall I'I.

The sides III, the front and top of the case I0 are preferably hinged or pivoted so that it may be swung to an open position as a unit to make the interior of the case accessible for the insertion of the supply S of toweling. In the structure illustrated the shiftable front or cover portion of the case comprising the sides I8, front and top are hinged or pivoted to the plates 22 at 23. A latch or look 24 may be provided for normally holding the forward cover portion of the case in its closed position. The towel supply S is preferably in the nature of a length of towel ing T wound on a core or tubular spool 25 to form a single substantially cylindrical roll.

The invention provides novel means .for rotatably supporting thesupply roll S. As best shown in Fig. 7 one of the plates 22- has an outwardly bent or projecting portion 22 providing a substantially cylindrical socket 92. A pin 93 is shiftable in a central opening 94 in the .outer wall of said portion 22 and carries a substantially cylindrical button or trunnion 95. The trunnion 95 is shiftable in the socket 92 and is adapted to partially project therefrom to extend into one end of the spool 25 to rotatably support one end of the supply roll S. A disc 96 is provided on the outer endof the pin 93 to limit the inward movement of the trunnion 95 and to permit the ready manual retraction of the trunnion into the socket 92 when the spool 25 is to be removed and a replenishing supply roll is to be arranged in the case. A stop 91 may be provided onthe adjacent side I8 to normally prevent retraction of the trunnion 95 into the socket 92.

The other plate 22, as best shown in Fig. 6, has an outwardly bent or. outwardly projecting portion 22 providing an internal socket 98. A cylindrical button or trunnion 99 is shiftable in the socket 98 and is adapted to project from the inner face of the plate 22 to extend into an end of the spool 25. A pin I00 is connected with the trunnion 99 and is slidable in a central opening IOI in the outer end of the portion 22 A disc I02 is attached to the outer end of the pin I00 and a plurality of friction discs I03 are arranged on the pin I00 between the disc I02 and the outer face of the portion 22 A spring I9 1 is arranged under compression between the inner side of the trunnion 99 and the outer wall of the portion 22 to urge the trunnion to its projecting operative position and to hold the friction discs I03 under compression. In accordance with the invention the proper or intended toweling is wound or provided on a spool 25 having a keyway or slot I in one end. A lug or key I06 is provided on the trunnion 99 to fit the slot I 05 to connect the trunnion with the spool 25 for rotation therewith. It will be noted that the supply roll S of toweling to be used in the device must have a spool 25 provided with slot I05 to receive the key I06.

When the supply roll S is to be arranged in the case I0 the cover or front portion of the case is swung to its open position. The trunnion 95 is moved to its retracted position in the socket 92 and the supply roll is moved into place between the spaced plates 22. The disc I 02 is engaged and moved outwardly to retract the trunnion 99 to allow the supply roll S to be arranged in its proper place. The plain trunnion 95 may be moved to its projecting position to extend into one end of the spool 25. When the spool has been arranged in its,proper place the disc I02 may be released to allow the trunnion 99 to enter the other end of the spool 25. The key I06 enters the slot I05 to connect the trunnion 99 and spool 25 for rotation. When the toweling T is withdrawn from the supply roll S, as will be hereinafter described, the trunnion 99 is made to turn with the roll due to the cooperation of the key I06 with the slot I05. The friction discs I03 yieldingly resist turning of the spool 25 and the supply roll S so that the toweling is maintained under the, proper tension during the operation of the device.

The roll I I of the control is arranged in the forward portion of the case I0 below the supply roll S. A shaft 26 projects from the opposite ends, of the roll II and extends through openings in the plates 22 to support the roll for rotation about a horizontal axis. The forward peripheral portion of the roll II is received in the bowed out portion 20 of the front of the case. The toweling T leaving the lower peripheral portion of the supply roll S extends forwardly to the roll II and is trained downwardly and forwardly and then downwardly and rearwardly over the periphery of the roll II. The bowed out front portion 20 aids in guiding the toweling and in retaining the toweling on the roll II. A suitably curved guide 2'! extends upwardly from the discharge opening 2I to direct or guide the toweling to the opening. The engagement of the toweling T with the roll II is such that the roll controls the movement and withdrawal of the toweling from the case.

The means I2 normally holds the roll II against rotation to prevent withdrawal of the toweling T in the event a person should reach into the case and engage the end of the toweling to withdraw the same. of the means I2 is to automatically stop the rotation of the roll II under the control of the means I5 when a definite length of toweling T has been withdrawn from the case. In accordance with the invention the means I2 includes The principal function a pawl .28pivotally supported by a pin 29 projecting from one end of the plates 22. The means I2 alsoincludes a ratchet wheel or ratchet disc 3|] on the roll having teeth 3| engageable by the pawl 28. The pawl 28 is provided with a forwardly facing head or nose 32 for cooperating with the teeth 3| .of the disc 30. The disc 3|] may be attached to an end of the roll II and the act ve faces. of its teeth 3| face in the forward direction of. rotation of the roll II indicated by the arrow X. :The nose 32 of the pawl 28 is shaped so-that it is adapted to cooperate with any one of the teeth 3| to prevent or stop rotation of the rollv II in the towel feeding or towel discharging direction. The pawl 28 is provided with. a downwardly projecting arm 33 and a sprin tll is connected with the arm to ur th awl to the position whereits nose 32 cooperates with the teeth 3| of the disc 30, When the parts 59 of the control are in their normal positions the active face of the pawl nose 32 is in engagement with a tooth 3| toholdthe roll against turni The knife or cutter I3 is provided to move into engagement with the toweling T simultaneously with the engagement of the pawl nose 32 with a tooth 3| to facilitate the freeing or detachment of the withdrawnlength of toweling. The knife or cutter I3 also aids in preventing the withdrawal of the toweling T prior to the proper operation of the pedal actuated means I4. The cutter I3 is operatively associated with a guide roll 35 which holds the toweling T in proper cooperation with the lower peripheral surface of the roll 35 II. The trunnions 35 of the roll 35 are rotatable and shiftable in slots 31 in the supporting plates 22. Springs 38a extend between the shaft 26 and the trunnions 36 to urge the roll 35 upwardly so that it holds the toweling T in m proper cooperation with the roll II. In accordance with the invention the periphery of the roll 35 is provided with a multiplicity of annular grooves 38. The grooves I 38 are substantially V-shaped and are equally spacedthroughout the 14,5 c e gth of the roll 35,

The cutter I3 may be a substantially flat blade-like member arranged transversely or horizontally in the forward lower corner portion of the case I0 below the roll 35.. The cutter I3 is 50 supported for pivotal movement. In the particular structure illustrated in the drawings the forward edge portion of the cutter I3 is bent or rolled to have an opening 39 receiving a shaft 40. Integral hangers 4| may be provided on the plates 22 to supportthe shaft 40. The cutter I3 projects rearwardly or inwardly and its active inner edge is serrated or provided with a plurality of Spaced V-shaped teeth 42. The teeth I 42 are sharpened to their points to cut into and L50 pierce the paper toweling T. The teeth 42 are shaped and formed to be received in the grooves 38 of the roll 35 when the cutter I3 is in its retracted position illustrated in Figs. 4 and 5. of the drawings. The cutter I3 normally projects 5 downwardly and rearwardly directly in the path of the paper where it passes through or over the guide 21. The teeth 42 of the cutter are adapted to engage the toweling T as it passes along the surface of the guide 21 some distance inwardly 79 from the opening 2|. When the cutter I3 is in its actuated position shown in Fig. 3 of the drawings the teeth 42 face in a direction to positively prevent the further removal or withdrawal of toweling from the case. The actuated position .of the cutter I3 is such that the cutter is efthe adjacent plate 22.

fective in parting .or cutting the toweling T when the withdrawn length of toweling is given a downward orforward pull and forms an effective barrier across the guide .21 to prevent the users from engaging the toweling in the case I0. 5 The cutter I3 is associated with or connected with the pawl 28. to be operated simultaneously therewith. Toggle links 43 are pivotally connected with the opposite ends of the cutters I3 at 44 and the upper ends of these links are pivoted 10 on the trunnions 36 of the roll 35. Links 45 are pivoted on the trunnions 36 and extend rearwardly to have. their rear ends pivotally connected with lever arms. The lever arms 45 project downwardly from the opposite ends of a 15 horizontal shaft II. The shaft 41 is rotatably or pivot/ally supported by brackets or bearings 48 on the plates 22. Collars 43 on the shaft 41 cooperate with the ends of the bearings 48 to pre--. vent endwise movement of the shaft. The arms 20 4Bnormally project downwardly and forwardly from the opposite endsof the shaft 41 and the links 45 are normally inclined downwardly and forwardly as shown in Fig. 5 of the drawings.

A clevis 50 is attached to one of the armsst 5 and its spaced parts straddle or receive the upper end portion of the pawl 28. A pin 5| carriedby the clevis 50 extends throughan opening 52 in the pawl to operatively connect the pawl with the lever arm 43. The opening 52 is elongated 30 or slot-like to allow for the required relative movement between the lever arm 45 and the pawl 28. With the parts related and assembled as just described pivotal movement of the pawl 23 in the direction to release its nose 32v from 5 the teeth 3| causes rearward swinging o-f= the arms 43 and rearward shifting of the links .45 so that the cutter I3 is swung upwardly, to the retracted position where its teeth arereceived in the grooves 38 in the roll 35.

The pedal operated means I4 is operable to retract the pawl 28 of the means I2 and the cutter I3 and is also operable to feed the lower end portion of the toweling T from the case It! to be readily grasped or engaged by the user of the device. The means I4 may include a block 54 fixed or arranged on the floor below the case II]. A treadle or pedal 55 has its forward lower end pivoted to the block 54 and extends rearwardly overthe block. A rod 55 is pivotally connected with the rear end of the pedal 55 and projects upwardly to extend through an opening 51 in the bottom II of the cabinet or-case. The rod 56 extends upwardly in the case It at the inner side of the adjacent plate 22 and passes through an opening 58 in a hori- .zontal step or shoulder 59 on the plate. Spaced nuts 63 secure a clevis 6| to the upper end of the rod 55. A spring 62 surrounds the rod 53 and is held under compression between the 0 shoulder 59 and the lower nut 50. Washers may be provided at the opposite ends of the spring 62. The spring 52. operates to urge the rod 55 and the pedal 55 upwardly and to return the pedal and rod after actuation. a 65 The pedal actuated means I4 includes a lever 34 arranged within the case It between a side I8 and the inwardly stepped upper portion of A suitable bracket 55 on the back I6 of the case carries a pin 55 which 10 pivotally supports the lever 64. A pin 5! carried by the spaced parts of the clevis 3| extends through an opening in the lever 64 to pivotally connect the rod 55 with the lever at a point spaced forwardly from the pivotal axis. of

the lever. A lug 88 on the upper inner corner of the lever 64 is adapted to cooperate with a stop 69 on the back wall l6to limit the upward movement of the lever 64, the rod 56 and the pedal 55. The stop 69 may be of deadening or shock absorbing material to reduce the shock to which the parts may be subjected in the event that the pedal 55 is suddenly released to free the spring 62 for sudden expansion.

The lever 64 projects forwardly and downwardly in the case I!) to a point above the roll H. A finger 10 is pivoted to the lever 64 and extends downwardly therefrom to'pass through an opening H in the shoulder 59. A spring 12 is connected with the finger 18 to urge it forwardly. A shoulder 13 on the finger 18 is adapted to cooperate with an adjustable stop 14 on the lever 64 to limit the forward pivotal movement of the finger. The lower end 15 of the finger I8 is flat to engage an angle iron or extension 16 on the upper end of the pawl 28. The lower forward corner 11 of the finger 18 is fiat and bevelled to cam or ratchet past the extension 16 during the return movement of the lever 64. When a user steps upon the pedal 55 the rod 56 is moved downwardly to swing the lever 64 downwardly and rearwardly so that its finger l8 cooperates with the pawl extension I6 to release the pawl nose 32 from the teeth 3|. This releasing pivotal movement of the pawl 28 is accomplished by simultaneously retracting movement of the cutter I 3. Thus depression of the pedal 55 releases the roll II for rotation and retracts the cutter l3 .out of the path of the toweling T.

The pedal actuated means I4 is operable to advance the roll H to feed or project the lower end portion of the toweling through the opening 2| upon the release or return of the pedal 55. A disc H3 is attached to an end of the roll H and is provided with a series of peripheral teeth 18. The teeth 18 face rearwardly relative to the forward or towel advancing direction of rotation of the roll II. A rack finger 19 is pivotaily connected with the forward end portion of the lever 64 and projects downwardly at the rear of the disc 18 A plurality of spaced upwardly facing teeth is provided on the forward edge of the'rack finger 19 to cooperate with the teeth 18 to turn the roll II when the lever 64 is moved upwardly from its down or actuated position. A spring 82 may be connected between a lug 83 on the upper end of the finger 18 and the lever 64 to urge the finger 19 forwardly to bring its teeth 80 against the teeth 18. The rack finger I9 is shaped so that the teeth 88 successively come into proper advancing cooperation with the teeth 18 during the up movement or return of the lever 64. When the parts are in the normal 'unactuated positions the lug 83 cooperates with a stop 8 on the adjacent plate 22 to hold the rack finger 19 in a position where its teeth 80 are free of the teeth 18.

The means I5 is provided to hold the pawl 28 and the cutter l3 retracted until a definite amount or length of toweling T has been withdrawn from the case I8, whereupon it releases the pawl and cutter so that they limit or stop further withdrawing of the toweling. The means I5 includes a sector gear or sector 85 pivotally connected with the pawl 28 and adapted to cooperate with the shaft 26 of the roll II. In

. practice it may be economical or desirable to pivotally support the sector 85 on the pin 5| as illustrated in the drawings. The forward curved edge of the sector 85 is roughened, serrated or provided with teeth 86. The portion of the shaft 26 engageable by the teeth 86 is knurled or provided with teeth 81. The sector 85 is mounted and proportioned to have its lower edge rest on the shaft 26 when the pawl 28 is in its operative position. Upon retraction of the pawl 28 the sector 85 is moved out of cooperation with the shaft 26 and is permitted to fall by gravity until its lower end strikes the pivot pin 29. Upon the finger l8 disengaging the pawl extension 16 the spring 34 pivots the pawl slightly forward to bring the teeth 86 of the sector into cooperation with the teeth 81 of the shaft 26. This engagement of the sector 85 with the shaft 26 latches or holds the pawl 28 in its retracted position and likewise holds the cutter l3 in its retracted position. As the roll H is rotated to feed the toweling outwardly and as the toweling is withdrawn from the case the cooperation of the teeth 81 with the teeth 86 causes the sector 85 to swing upwardly. When a definite length of toweling T has been withdrawn through the opening 2| the lower edge of the sector 85 passes the center of the shaft 26 and the spring 34 forces the pawl 28 forwardly moving the sector 85 to a position where its lower edge is supported on the shaft 26.

The invention includes a novel effective means for preventing the user from tampering with or improperly operating the device. A control latch or control stop 98 is pivotally Supported on the pin 5! to cooperate with the finger '19 to retain the teeth 80 of the finger 19 in cooperation with the teeth 78 during the upward or return movement of the finger 19. The stop 98 projects forwardly from the pin 5| and is adapted to be engaged by the rear edge of the rack finger 79. A lug 9! on the stop 90 is adapted to cooperate with a part of the pawl 28 to limit the upward swinging of the stop. A second lug 92 is provided on the stop 90 and a spring 93a is connected with the lug 92 to yieldingly hold the stop 90 in its operative position. If the user of the device steps on the pedal 55 and while holding the pedal depressed attempts to withdraw the toweling T from the case the cooperation of the stop 90 with the finger 79 holds the teeth 80 in cooperation with the teeth 18 to prevent such withdrawal. The stop 90 cooperates with the rack finger 19 to maintain its teeth 88 in cooperation with the teeth 18 thereby gearing or operatively connecting the foot pedal 55 with the roll I I to insure the proper initial delivery or feeding of the toweling from the case.

Operation The various parts of the device are normally in the positions illustrated in Figs. 1, 2 and 3 of the drawings. It is to be noted that the toweling T is normally entirely enclosed within the case I l and that the cutter l3 extends across the upper end of the opening 2| to the guide 21 to prevent any one from engaging or grasping the lower end of the toweling. To operate the dispensing device to obtain a length of toweling the user first depresses the pedal 55 with his foot to move the rod 56 downwardly. Downward movement of the rod 56 brings the lower end 15 of the finger 78 into engagement with the extension 16 to swing the pawl 28 to a position where its latch nose 32 is clear of the teeth 3|. This retraction of the pawl 28 simultaneously swings the cutter l3 to its retracted position out of the path of the toweling T and disengages the sector 85 from the shaft 26 allowing the sector to fall to the position where its lower edge engages the pin 28. The sector 85 is'thus stoppedin a position where its forward toothed edge engages the shaft 26 tOhOld the pawl 28 and the cutter is in their retracted positions. Immediately following the depression of the pedal 55 the user removes or relieves the pressure on the pedal allowing the spring 62 to automatically return the lever 6 6 to its normal position. The upward or return movement of the lever 64 is, of course, accompanied by upward movement of the rack finger is which is urged against the: teeth 18 by the spring 82. The teeth 80 cooperate with the :teeth ill during upward movement of the finger F9 to rotate the roll I l in the direction indicated by the arrow X and thus feed the lower end portion of the toweling T outwardly through the opening 2|. The stop giipositively holds the finger 19 in geared engagement with the roll H during the return of thefinger.* The stop 69 limits the upward movement of the rod 56 and the lever 64.

Upon the release of the pawl 28 as just described above the parts are again in their normal posi-' tions and the device is conditioned for a succeed ing actuation. The user may readily. obtain a definite length of toweling from the case without engaging any portion of the case with his hands, and the end portionof the toweling fed through the opening 2! upon the return of the pedal .55 is positioned so that the moist or wet hands of the persons using the device do not soil the case Ill. The control mechanism provided by the invention is such that definite manual operations are required in a particular sequence for the full operation of the device. The pedal 55 must firstbe depressed to release the control and must then be released to provide for the feeding of the end portion of. the toweling from the opening 2 l. The toweling thus started from theopening 2i is then grasped by the user and a definite length of towel ing withdrawn from the case to recondition the device for further use. These steps or acts usually prevent the wasteful use of the toweling T; 7

Having described only a typical preferred form of my invention, I do not wish to limit myself to the specific details set forth,.'but wish to reserve to myself any changes or variations that may appear to those skilled in the art or fall within the scope of the following claims.

Having described my invention, I claim:

1. A device for dispensing sheet material including a case for holding a supply of the material and having an opening for discharging the material, a manually depressible pedal, means for auto matically returning the pedal after depression, means operated by return movement of the pedal for feeding an end portion of the material through the opening to be grasped by the user for withdrawal, and means for preventing further withdrawal of the material when a definite amount of the material has been withdrawn.

2. A device for dispensing sheet material including a case for holding a supply of the mate rial and having an opening for discharging the material, a movable member in the case having movement controlling engagement with the material, means normally holding the member against movement to prevent movement of the material, and pedal operated means for releasing said means and then moving the member to feed the end portion of the material through said opening.

3. A device for dispensing sheet material including a case for holding a supply of the material and having an opening for discharging the material, a movable member in the case having movement controlling engagement with the material; releasable means normally holding the member against movement to prevent movement of the material, means for releasing the first mentiened 'm'e'ans to permit withdrawal of the materialfrom the case; and means rendering the first mentioned means-operativeto stop movement of the member whe a definite amount of the material has been Withdrawn. v

"*4L-"A device for dispe'sin'g' sheet material incliidi-iigae'ase for holding asupply of thematerial and having an opening for discharging the material, airiovable member in the case having movement controlling engagement with the material, releasable means normally holding the member 'againstmovement to prevent movement of thematerial, means for releasing the first mentiened means to permit withdrawal of the material from the ease, ihcludinga pedal below the case, and means operable by the member to actii'ate-"tlie first mentioned means to stop movemerit of the member when a definite amount of material has been withdrawn. V

{5; A device for dispensing sheet material including a case for holding a supply of the material aiidhaving an openingfor discharging the material, a movable member in the case having feeding and movement controlling engagement withthe-material, releasable means normally holding the member against movement, a springheldf pedal, means operable by depression of the pedal e release the releasable means, and means operable by the'return of the pedal to move the member-to feed the material'throiigh the open ing." an device for dispensing sheet materiai including case for holding a supply ofthe mateiial ano-navingan opening for discharging the material; shoves-1e member in the case having feeding i'no'vement controlling engagement withthe material, releasable means normally neidmg tne member against movement, a spring held pedal, means operable by depression of the pedal to release the releasable means, means operable by thereturn of the pedal to move the member to feed an end of the material through the opening for engagement by the user, and means controlled by the member holding the releasa-ble means in a released condition and actuated by the member when a definite amount of material has been withdrawn to free the means to stop movement of the member.

7. A device for dispensing sheet material inelu'ding a case for holding a supply ofthe material and having an opening for discharging the material, a movable member in the case having movement controlling cooperation with the material, a cutter in the case normally in the path of withdrawal of the material, releasable normally operative means for holding the member against movement, and operating means for simultaneously retracting the cutter and releasing the releasable means to allow withdrawal of the material.

8. A device for dispensing sheet material including a case for holding a supply of the material and having an opening for discharging the material, a movable member in the case having movement controlling cooperation with the material, a cutter in the case normally in the path of withdrawal of the material, releasable normally operative means for holding the member against movement, operating means for retracting the cutter and releasing the releasable means, and means holding the releasable means in a released condition and holding the cutter retracted until a, definite length of material has been withdrawn, whereupon it trees said means to stop the withdrawal.

9. A device for dispensing sheet material ineluding a case for holding a supply of the material and having an opening for discharging the material, a movable member in the case having movement controlling cooperation with the material, a cutter in the case normally preventing passage of the material through the opening, releasable normally operative means for holding the member against movement, and operating means for simultaneously retracting the cutter and releasing the releasable means to allow withdrawal of the material, the operating means including a pedal below the case.

10. A device for dispensing sheet material including a case for housing a supply of the material, a roll in the case having movement controlling engagement with the material, a pawl for holding the roll against movement, pedal operated means for releasing the pawl to permit withdrawal of the material, releasable means holding the pawl released, and means actuated by the roll for releasing said releasable means when a portion of the material has been withdrawn from the case.

11. A device for dispensing sheet material including a case for housing a supply of the material, a roll in the case having movement controlling engagement with the material, a pawl for holding the roll against movement, pedal operated means for releasing the pawl to permit withdrawal of the material, a cutter operable into material engaging position, a pedal, means actuated by the pedal for releasing the pawl and retracting the cutter to permit withdrawal of the material, and means holding the pawl released and the cutter retracted until a portion of the material has been withdrawn, whereupon the pawl stops the roll and the cutter contacts the material.

12. A device for dispensing sheet material including a case for housing a supply of the material, a roll in the case having movement controlling engagement with the material, a pawl for holding the roll against movement, pedal operated means for releasing the pawl to permit withdrawal of the material, a cutter operable into material engaging position, a pedal, means actuated by the pedal for releasing the pawl and retracting the cutter to permit withdrawal of the material, means operable by return of the pedal for moving the roll to feed an end portion of the material from the case for withdrawal, and means holding the pawl released and the cutter retracted until a portion of the material has been with drawn, whereupon the pawl stops the roll and the cutter contacts the material.

13. In a device for dispensing sheet material, a roll having movement controlling engagement with the material, a pawl for stopping the roll, operating means for releasing the pawl, a cutter for engaging the the material, and a connection between the pawl and cutter whereby the cutter is retracted simultaneously with the release of the pawl.

14. In a device for dispensing sheet material, a roll guiding the material and having peripheral grooves, and a cutter having teeth and movable from a retracted position where the teeth are in the grooves to a position where the teeth engage the material.

15. In a device for dispensing sheet material, a roll having movement controlling engagement with the material, a pawl for stopping the roll, teeth on the roll, a lever, a part operable by the lever for releasing the pawl upon movement of the lever in one direction, and a rack finger on the lever for cooperating with said teeth to turn the roll and feed the material when the lever moves in the opposite direction.

16. In a device for dispensing sheet material, a roll having movement controlling engagement with the material, a pawl for stopping the roll, teeth on the roll, a lever, a part operable by the lever for releasing the pawl upon movement of the lever in one direction, a pedal depressible to move the lever in said direction, means for returning the pedal and lever, and a rack part on the lever cooperable with said teeth upon the return of the lever to move the roll and feed the material.

17. A device for dispensing sheet material comprising, a case for holding a supply of the material and having an opening through which the material may be removed, an operating part extending downwardlyfrom the case, a pedal for operating the said part, releasable means for preventing the removal of the material released by movement of the operating part in one direction, and means operated by movement of the operating part in the other direction for feeding the material from the case.

LEO M. HARVEY. 

